Christmas Decor

People all over the world from many societies celebrate Christmas. Whether the holiday goes by the name Christmas or X'mas (an abbreviation used since the middle of the sixteenth century), some traditions differ between cultures while other traditions remain identical.

Christians celebrate Christmas as the birth date of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, though his real birthday is unknown. Since the holiday incorporates components of other winter celebrations, such as the Roman Saturnalia and Midwinter, Christmas tradition means something different for each person. It is often used as an excuse to get family and friends together.

In western cultures, plans and preparations begin even before the Thanksgiving turkey hits the table. Stores set up their Christmas displays of decorated faux pine and fir trees near shelves filled with shimmering garland, tinsel, and bulbs. Cities, towns and individual homes put out Christmas banners and lights, while schools plan their holiday parties. Friendly people greet each other by saying, "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays".

Even radio stations get into the spirit by playing sentimental and humorous Christmas music. Old holiday favorites, like "A Charlie Brown Christmas", "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer", and "How the Grinch stole Christmas", light up the television screens from the end of November until Christmas day.

Christmas ornaments hung on evergreen trees, walls, or outdoors come in many shapes, sizes, colors and materials. The wooden nutcracker continues as one of the most popular ornaments displayed on shelves and in shop windows. Favorite tree toppers include gold, or silver stars and angels holding harps.

Wreaths made from pine, fir, or balsam branches hang on front doors. Christmas carolers walk the street and stand outside on sidewalks as they sing Christmas songs, "We Wish you a Merry Christmas", "the First Noel", and "We Three Kings".

Gift giving is an important component to the holiday. Family and friends make or buy presents to give to their loved ones. Stockings of all shapes and sizes hang from fireplace mantels, staircases and walls. Many children leave milk and home baked cookies for Santa Claus, or Saint Nicolas on Christmas day. Christmas morning finds children unwrapping the presents Santa (and parents) left under the tree for them.

Each part of Christmas today encompasses traditions that go back a few centuries. Nearly every country includes their own custom on what types of Christmas food to serve, different ways to give and receive gifts, how to display ornaments, who and why Santa Claus came into existence and even how Christmas came to be known as what it is today.